Covered dish



(No Model.)

E; A. PARKER.

COVERED DISH.

No. 254,687. Patented Mar. 7,1882.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDMUND A. PARKER, ()F MERIDEN, CONNECTICUT.

COVERED DISH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 254,687, dated March 7, 1882.

Application filed January 18, 1882. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern: 7 Be it known that I, EDMUND A. PARKER, a citizen of theUnited States, residing at Meriden, county of New Haven, and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Covered Dishes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to certain improvements in covered dishes; and it has for its ob- 1o ject to provide a means whereby the cover may be automatically lifted to expose the contents of the dish when desired.

I am aware that butter-dishes have been provided with dome-shaped covers adapted to swivel upon trunnions, and to turn out of the way and underneath the butter pan or receptacle; and my invention has no relation to that class of dishes, but relates particularly to such dishes as are provided with covers adapted to be lifted away from the dish. In this class of dishes it is awkward and inconvenient to remove the cover, for obvious reasons within the experience of all those who have used the same.

My invention consistsin connecting the cover with the dish through'the medium of suitable supports, and combining therewith a spring the pressure or power of which is exerted to lift the cover from the dish and to hold it in an elevated position.

My invention also consists in combining with the cover and spring supported in place over the dish, a suitable stop mechanism or look for holding the cover in a fixed position; and my invention further consists in the several details of construction, hereinafter set forth and specifically claimed.

In order that those skilled may know how to make and use my improved dish, I will proceed to describe the construction and operation of the same, referring by letters to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a butterdish embodying the features of my invention with the cover closed. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section of the same, the cover being shown as down by solid lines and in a raised position by dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of the spring mechanism, taken at the line :r m of Fig. 1.

Similar letters indicate like parts in the several figures.

A represents the dish or receptacle, of any desired design, size, and ornamentation.

B is an arbor or frame, secured to the dishbody A, made preferably of wire, of any given design in cross-section. The sides of this frame rise parallel with each other, and span or bridge the space between them at the top, as shown. This frame may be embellished or ornamented in any suitable manner to suit the tastes of the manufacturer or the public. The sides or parallel portions of the frame serve as guides for the movement of the cover, and are connected therewith for this purpose by short arms a a, extending radially from the cover C. On top of the frame, and arranged centrally, is a metal box, 1), within which I place a coil-spring, 0, the outer end of which is made fast to the side of the box or astud or post suitably located,

and the inner end is connected to a hub, d, having a central square hole through the same to permit the passage of the squared end of a central shaft, D, which passes freely through the bottom of the spring case or box b, and

cover of any artisticshape and ornamentation.

The shaft D extends downward a distance a little more than equal to the extent of movement of the cover C, and its exterior is formed into a quick screw, which travels in a female thread or pin in the extreme upper portion of the cover 0, so that the rotation of the shaft by the spring will cause the cover C to be raised as it is held against rotation by the arms a a, embracing the side frames.

A spring locking-bolt, E, is arranged on the apex of the cover C, and is adapted to hold the said cover down by the entrance of the bolt into a seatformed near the lower end of the shaft D. The cover is permitted to rise by the release of this bolt E.

I do not wish to confine myself to the location of the bolt E, as shown, for I may place it upon the spring box or casing and adapt it to interlock with the hub d of said spring.

It will be observed that the relation of the parts is such that the downward movement of the cover C causes the rotation of the shaft D and the winding or coiling of the spring, so that power is thus accumulated to automatically lift the cover when it is released or unlocked. 5 The sides of the frame B need be parallel only so far as is necessary to form proper guides for the cover in its vertical movement, and above that point the frame may be fashioned into any desired and artistic form to give apleasing effect, and to serve also as a bail or handle to lift the dish.

The dish proper is provided with the usual plate or receptacle; and while Ihave shown an ordinary butter-dish, it is obvious that my invention is equally applicable to meat, fish, and

vegetable dishes, or fruit, preserve, and pickle 1. The dish A, provided with a cover-support, 13, and lifting cover 0, in combination with means for automatically lifting and holding the cover, as hereinbefore set forth.

2. The dish A, provided with cover-support B, and means, substantially as described, for raising and holding the cover, in combination with a latch or locking-bolt, E, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The cover 0, connected with the frame B by guide-arms a a, in combination with a coilspring, 0, havingahub, d, and a rotatory quickscrew shaft, D, adapted to travel in a female thread in the apex of the cover, whereby the latter is raised, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

EDMUND A. PARKER.

Witnesses:

AUGUSTUS P. DAY, E. A. WHEELER. 

